Parents cut arts, sports camps as family budgets tighten

Sports leagues, dance studios and art schools across central Florida say the number of children participating in these extracurricular activities is down significantly over last year.

The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sports leagues, dance studios and art schools across central Florida say the number of children participating in these extracurricular activities is down significantly over last year.

The Pinecastle Little League is fielding nine teams, down from 12 in 2008. The Dreadhead Sports soccer league has half as many students participating from 10 Orlando-area private schools compared to last year.

Julie Coleman at the Orlando School for Cultural Dance says she's lost more than half her students since the summer. She used to be able to find sponsors to pay student fees if a parent couldn't — but now those sponsors are overwhelmed with requests.

The Crealde School of Art in Winter Park says enrollment bounced back when students got discounts for early enrollment.